Patient in Recovery, Martinez on to Next Phase
Apr 14, 2022 | Football, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
It's been 139 days since quarterback Adrian Martinez underwent surgery to his right throwing shoulder following an injury against Wisconsin, and it's been 117 days since the former Nebraska superstar announced that he was transferring to Kansas State.
These days, it appears that he is inching toward being back to his old self in his new college home. Martinez said that he was cleared to throw after a 16-week recovery. He has worked his way up to throwing the ball 55 yards. Although he hasn't spun the ball under duress from the Wildcats' defense in spring practice, it's been easy to spot the green No. 9 quarterback jersey. It's usually been around the pigskin.
"I mean, it's what I love to do," Martinez said. "It was great when that moment (of being able to throw) finally happened, and to continue to progress and see that progress in myself is motivating and it's what keeps me going."
After spending four seasons breaking records inside Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, Martinez enters his fifth and final season slinging passes inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium. He hasn't thought too deeply about the difference in stadium environments — "I've played in a lot of places," he said.
But he does add, "I like the feel of this one."
That's good news for K-State.
"He brings a new flavor of quarterback," wide receiver Malik Knowles said. "He runs really well, he's really good on his feet, strong arm, confident guy. He just brings that spark to our offense."
Added K-State linebacker Will Honas, a former Nebraska teammate: "He's a really exciting player to watch. He's a special athlete and can throw the ball and run the ball really well. You can already see it in practice with his movement. He's pretty different than other players. He moves at a different speed."
Fortunately, Martinez's legs aren't limited.
He is one of three active FBS quarterbacks with 7,000 career passing yards and 2,000 career rushing yards.
"He does a lot of the run-game stuff," K-State head coach Chris Klieman said. "It's a run play, he's on an end with Will (Howard), and he's going through everything as if it's a play, except for a pass. He's running a lot of the quarterback run stuff for us under center, giving it back on power and some of our other gap-scheme stuff. He's learning a lot in the (running game)."
Martinez instantly became one of the most popular players at K-State when he announced his decision to join the Wildcats on December 16. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound native of Fresno, California, arrived after setting 16 records at Nebraska, including 10,792 career yards of total offense and 308.0 yards of total offense in 2021.
Martinez has completed 670 of 1,055 passes for 8,491 yards and 45 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in 39 career games. He also has 508 carries for 2,301 yards and 35 touchdowns on the ground. His 35 career rushing touchdowns ranked eighth among active FBS players and second among quarterbacks in 2021.
"(Martinez) is going to command a room," Klieman said during a news conference in February. "He's mature beyond his years and he's an older kid anyway, but he's mature. You guys are going to love the kid because he's here for the right reasons. He's here because he wants an opportunity to play. He hit it off with Coach Collin Klein and myself. I'm just really excited because I've seen him compete. I didn't know him prior to the recruiting process, but I've seen him compete.
"I know a lot of coaches up there (at Nebraska) that speak the world of him, and he's going to be a really special person in our program."
A native of Fresno, California, Martinez starred at Clovis West High School. He was ranked as the No. 56 player in the ESPN300 and the No. 4 pocket passer in the 2018 recruiting class. He received dozens of scholarship offers and chose Nebraska over Tennessee. He earned his degree in management last May.
He attempted his final pass as a Husker against Wisconsin on November 20. Although he injured his throwing shoulder in the first half of the game, he returned and played the second half of the contest. Then he underwent surgery four days later.
Thus began his road to recovery — and his eventual decision to transfer to K-State.
"Early on (the rehabilitation process) is the toughest part because you're really limited," Martinez said. "You're in a sling. There are a lot of reasons to feel sorry for yourself. I'm lucky enough to have really good people in my life that didn't allow me to do that. I got over that pretty quickly.
"I got here pretty fast after that. It was a quick turnaround. I think that helped me because immediately my mind was set on something else."
His mind was likely set on guiding a new-look K-State offense under first-year offensive coordinator Collin Klein — a process seemingly hindered by his inability to fully participate in spring practice.
"I don't think I've been held back (due to the recovery)," Martinez said. "Coach Klein and the other quarterbacks and myself have put a lot of work into it. Coach Klein has done a good job finding ways to give me reps and getting in the film room. I don't think I've been held back."
K-State will finish out spring workouts with a closed practice on Saturday. Then K-State players will be on their own to conduct unsupervised 7-on-7 practices and drill work on the field.
Martinez said that he would like to begin 7-on-7s "as soon as possible," adding that he will rely upon coaches and training staff to determine "the right timing for me."
In fall camp, it's expected that he'll duel junior Will Howard for the right to replace departed Skylar Thompson, who finished his K-State career ranked in the top 10 all-time in 15 career statistical categories.
"I think (Howard) is great," Martinez said. "I really respect him as a person and as a football player. Something that's struck me is how intelligent he is and how much he loves to get after it up on the board and in the film room. He's been so welcoming, and I'm truly thankful that the quarterback room isn't a hostile environment. They've all done a great job of welcoming me.
"We understand it's a competition, but it doesn't mean that we can't help each other out."
That attitude will benefit K-State, which capped its 8-5 season with a victory over LSU in the TaxAct Texas Bowl, and returns 16 starters from the 2021 season. Already the Wildcats have been picked by one publication as a dark horse in the Big 12 Conference title race next fall.
"I really like this group of guys," Martinez said. "I'm thankful that they're so welcoming to me. Part of that is earned and they've gotten to know me, and they'll continue to get to know me, and I'll continue to get to know them.
"I feel good about our progression as a team and as a unit."
Meanwhile, Martinez is probably counting down the days until he is 100% healthy.
"I've been patient," he said. "I know it will pay off in the long run."
It's been 139 days since quarterback Adrian Martinez underwent surgery to his right throwing shoulder following an injury against Wisconsin, and it's been 117 days since the former Nebraska superstar announced that he was transferring to Kansas State.
These days, it appears that he is inching toward being back to his old self in his new college home. Martinez said that he was cleared to throw after a 16-week recovery. He has worked his way up to throwing the ball 55 yards. Although he hasn't spun the ball under duress from the Wildcats' defense in spring practice, it's been easy to spot the green No. 9 quarterback jersey. It's usually been around the pigskin.
"I mean, it's what I love to do," Martinez said. "It was great when that moment (of being able to throw) finally happened, and to continue to progress and see that progress in myself is motivating and it's what keeps me going."
After spending four seasons breaking records inside Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, Martinez enters his fifth and final season slinging passes inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium. He hasn't thought too deeply about the difference in stadium environments — "I've played in a lot of places," he said.
But he does add, "I like the feel of this one."
That's good news for K-State.
"He brings a new flavor of quarterback," wide receiver Malik Knowles said. "He runs really well, he's really good on his feet, strong arm, confident guy. He just brings that spark to our offense."
Added K-State linebacker Will Honas, a former Nebraska teammate: "He's a really exciting player to watch. He's a special athlete and can throw the ball and run the ball really well. You can already see it in practice with his movement. He's pretty different than other players. He moves at a different speed."
Fortunately, Martinez's legs aren't limited.
He is one of three active FBS quarterbacks with 7,000 career passing yards and 2,000 career rushing yards.
"He does a lot of the run-game stuff," K-State head coach Chris Klieman said. "It's a run play, he's on an end with Will (Howard), and he's going through everything as if it's a play, except for a pass. He's running a lot of the quarterback run stuff for us under center, giving it back on power and some of our other gap-scheme stuff. He's learning a lot in the (running game)."
Martinez instantly became one of the most popular players at K-State when he announced his decision to join the Wildcats on December 16. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound native of Fresno, California, arrived after setting 16 records at Nebraska, including 10,792 career yards of total offense and 308.0 yards of total offense in 2021.
Martinez has completed 670 of 1,055 passes for 8,491 yards and 45 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in 39 career games. He also has 508 carries for 2,301 yards and 35 touchdowns on the ground. His 35 career rushing touchdowns ranked eighth among active FBS players and second among quarterbacks in 2021.
"(Martinez) is going to command a room," Klieman said during a news conference in February. "He's mature beyond his years and he's an older kid anyway, but he's mature. You guys are going to love the kid because he's here for the right reasons. He's here because he wants an opportunity to play. He hit it off with Coach Collin Klein and myself. I'm just really excited because I've seen him compete. I didn't know him prior to the recruiting process, but I've seen him compete.
"I know a lot of coaches up there (at Nebraska) that speak the world of him, and he's going to be a really special person in our program."
A native of Fresno, California, Martinez starred at Clovis West High School. He was ranked as the No. 56 player in the ESPN300 and the No. 4 pocket passer in the 2018 recruiting class. He received dozens of scholarship offers and chose Nebraska over Tennessee. He earned his degree in management last May.
He attempted his final pass as a Husker against Wisconsin on November 20. Although he injured his throwing shoulder in the first half of the game, he returned and played the second half of the contest. Then he underwent surgery four days later.
Thus began his road to recovery — and his eventual decision to transfer to K-State.
"Early on (the rehabilitation process) is the toughest part because you're really limited," Martinez said. "You're in a sling. There are a lot of reasons to feel sorry for yourself. I'm lucky enough to have really good people in my life that didn't allow me to do that. I got over that pretty quickly.
"I got here pretty fast after that. It was a quick turnaround. I think that helped me because immediately my mind was set on something else."
Standard over feelings pic.twitter.com/Vg577oK4Xx
— K-State Football (@KStateFB) April 7, 2022
His mind was likely set on guiding a new-look K-State offense under first-year offensive coordinator Collin Klein — a process seemingly hindered by his inability to fully participate in spring practice.
"I don't think I've been held back (due to the recovery)," Martinez said. "Coach Klein and the other quarterbacks and myself have put a lot of work into it. Coach Klein has done a good job finding ways to give me reps and getting in the film room. I don't think I've been held back."
K-State will finish out spring workouts with a closed practice on Saturday. Then K-State players will be on their own to conduct unsupervised 7-on-7 practices and drill work on the field.
Martinez said that he would like to begin 7-on-7s "as soon as possible," adding that he will rely upon coaches and training staff to determine "the right timing for me."
In fall camp, it's expected that he'll duel junior Will Howard for the right to replace departed Skylar Thompson, who finished his K-State career ranked in the top 10 all-time in 15 career statistical categories.
"I think (Howard) is great," Martinez said. "I really respect him as a person and as a football player. Something that's struck me is how intelligent he is and how much he loves to get after it up on the board and in the film room. He's been so welcoming, and I'm truly thankful that the quarterback room isn't a hostile environment. They've all done a great job of welcoming me.
"We understand it's a competition, but it doesn't mean that we can't help each other out."
That attitude will benefit K-State, which capped its 8-5 season with a victory over LSU in the TaxAct Texas Bowl, and returns 16 starters from the 2021 season. Already the Wildcats have been picked by one publication as a dark horse in the Big 12 Conference title race next fall.
"I really like this group of guys," Martinez said. "I'm thankful that they're so welcoming to me. Part of that is earned and they've gotten to know me, and they'll continue to get to know me, and I'll continue to get to know them.
"I feel good about our progression as a team and as a unit."
Meanwhile, Martinez is probably counting down the days until he is 100% healthy.
"I've been patient," he said. "I know it will pay off in the long run."
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